Results
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – A pair of thrilling three-set triumphs in singles action from juniors
Gipson Hawn and
Katie Benn highlighted the Eckerd College women's tennis program's effort in narrow defeat against visiting University of Charleston (W.V.) on Thursday afternoon, 5-4.
The Tritons (3-7, 0-5 SSC) were looking for their fourth win of the spring, all in non-conference format, against the Golden Eagles (11-8 overall), who had played their previous four matches in Tampa.
Eckerd made a valiant push as a team against Charleston after falling behind in doubles, 2-1. After the Golden Eagles grabbed the No. 2 singles contest, Eckerd won No. 4 and 5, dropped No. 3 and won with Benn at No. 6 and Hawn at No. 1 to close out the day.
Hawn buckled down and worked a 6-1 win in the first set before outlasting Ana Maria Pena in a marathon-like third set with the final score benefitting the Tritons following an 11-9 tally.
"I'm very proud of Gipson's win today," said EC interim head coach
Ben Maxwell. "She battled through a tough match and stayed focused. Her intensity and focus in the third-set tiebreaker was admirable."
Junior
Amy Naula brought home a straight-set win in singles against Taylor Todd to help Eckerd's cause in the team scoring and Benn bounced back from a first-set setback to cruise, 6-2, 6-1, against Mallika Mali.
Benn and Naula each combined for the 8-5 doubles win in the No. 3 position as EC's No. 1 and No. 2 tandems each took four and six games from their opponents, respectively.
The Tritons continue their four-match homestand on Saturday against Bentley (Mass.) University with a 10 a.m. start scheduled at the Turley Athletic Complex.
